Fans mix with Weaver, Kemp and Gwynn

When you walk through the doors, you can't help but be overwhelmed – especially if you're a sports fan.

Walls covered in jerseys, autographed posters and pennants. Rows of tables lined up displaying thousands of trading cards, programs and old magazine covers. Any piece of sports memorabilia you can think of is in this room.

Is it heaven?

Not quite. It's the banquet room at the Anaheim Marriot. But last weekend's SoCal Baseball and Sports Collectors Expo certainly felt special for sports enthusiasts and athletes alike.

The three-day event featured current and former Major League Baseball players signing autographs and taking photos with fans. Angels ace Jered Weaver and Dodgers star center fielder Matt Kemp headlined the current players that were in attendance, while Tony Gwynn was featured among the retired players.

In all, 18 professionals appeared at the expo, including former Angel Scott Spiezio. The 40-year-old is still a fan favorite and is still revered for his three-run home run in Game 6 of the 2002 World Series, which sparked an Angels comeback and forced a Game 7 against the San Francisco Giants that led to a World Series championship.

"I'm a fan when I come to these things," Spiezio said. "I met (former softball player) Lisa Fernandez and got to hold her gold medals. I teared up. How can you not?"

Another former Angel, Hubie Brooks, was also signing autographs and said the event is a great way to reconnect with fans. ï¿½ ï¿½

"Fans notice you've done the best that you can do over your career," Brooks said. "It really makes you appreciate what you've done."ï¿½

While many fans lined up to pay for player autographs, many roamed the room and looked at what the more than three dozen exhibitors and card and memorabilia dealers had set up to sell. Everything from old ticket stubs to a pair of Magic Johnson's game-worn Converse Weapon shoes were on sale. ï¿½ One of the more notable trading cards for sale was a 1911 Brunners Bread Ty Cobb. The asking price for the grade-three card was $12,500. Had it been in near-mint condition – $125,000.